Road trippin’: Brisbane and Hervey Bay
Beginning in Brisbane, this road trip will take you up the East Coast to the magnificent Hervey Bay, across to Fraser Island, and back to Brisbane as your final destination.
Stats:6 days / 5 nights
Drive distance = 578kms
Travelling time = 6 hours 45 mins
Key roads = M1, National Highway/A1, 57
Day One – Brisbane
Familiarise yourself with Brisbane by spending the day today, or, if you’re a local and just want to get going, then skip to day two.
Priority number one is to pick up the hire car, so hot heel it to the car hire pick-up hub at Brisbane Airport or the CBD and grab the keys. Today will be spent in Brisbane before hitting the road to Hervey Bay.
For a Spotify soundtrack that will get you dancing, scroll to the bottom of this itinerary. The lastminute lovelies have handpicked some great tracks especially.
Brisbane is great for live music and food, as well as shopping and beautiful parks. One such park is Southbank Parklands. Once there, choose from picnicking in the park, swimming in the beach, smoking up the barbecue, or wandering amongst the open-air markets (if it’s a Sunday).

From here, put the city in your sights because shopping is on the menu. A walkable distance away, the city sports some shops that give Melbourne a run for their money. Check out Queen St Mall for a large mix of popular brands, including MAC makeup and Saba.
Once you’ve sufficiently loaded up on shopping bags, find a spot in the sun to enjoy some lunch – you won’t be hard pressed to find somewhere great. We suggest Public, conveniently located smack bang in the middle of the CBD.
With full bellies, make the short drive to Fortitude Valley, where you can easily spend the afternoon checking out trendy boutiques and then later, settle in to a cosy bar to enjoy a few drinks into the eve.
Stay tonight in Brisbane and recoup your energy for the start of your road trip tomorrow. Need some help picking a hotel? We know it’s a tough gig, that’s why we’ve put in the hard yards for you and picked our fave. The Diamant Boutique Hotel wins our love, and Erin’s too! Read her review here.
Book a Brisbane hotel
Day Two – Bongaree, Bribie Island, Caloundra
Kick start the day with a hearty brekkie at Sisco, just around the corner. These guys know how to make a killer coffee so you’re in good hands.
Roll into the car and prepare for a drive. Switch on your favourite songs and set your GPS (or don’t…your navigation skills might be better than ours!). Drive one hour’s north along the M1 to Bongaree and find a park.
It’s from here that you’re able to hop on over to coastal paradise, Bribie Island. When you arrive, play tourist and explore the island. You’ll be able to walk the beaches, swim, surf, sunbake and/or picnic, so get lost here for a while.

A short drive further along the M1 will take you to Caloundra, a beautiful Sunshine Coast suburb where you’ll be able to soak up some true Queensland sunshine.
Pull on your walking shoes and get ready for a coastal walk with views that are unrivalled. Beginning at Tay Avenue and finishing at Currumindi, the walk is nine kilometres in length. You’ll have a chance to breathe in some fresh ocean air and get your blood pumping.
Another must-visit is the Eumundi Markets. These markets are well-known, and when even Sydneysiders rave about the offerings on show there, you know they’re good. Every Wednesday and Saturday, under the shade of an enormous fig tree, the marketplace comes alive with people stocking up on fruit, veges and handcrafted items. Try the offerings from the guys from Eumundi Smokehouse – their confused bacon and egg roll is amazing! Even if you don’t make a purchase, it’s worth going just to be immersed in the vibrant atmosphere.
Book a Caloundra hotel.
Day Three – Noosaville
If it’s a warm day, spend some sun-drenched time at Shelley Beach, nestled between Moffat Headland and Kings Beach.
After your beach sesh, continue on the M1 to Noosaville, an hour’s drive north. You’ll be spending the night so you have a whole day to explore.
Have a light lunch because Noosaville offers some fantastic cooking classes for you and your travelling mates. Or if you’re more of an adventurous type, why not book in for a trapeze class like lastminute lovely Sasha did?
After all that high octane adventure, you’ll need a drink. Flux Restaurant and Lounge is at the top of the list for the area, so park your junk and put a glass of wine in your well-deserving hand.
Call it a night at our fave Noosaville hotel, Verano Resort.
Book a Noosaville hotel.
Day Four– Mount Bauple National Park, Hervey Bay
Just under two hours away along the A1 is Mount Bauple National Park, a scientific national park, meaning that its main purpose is to protect the area’s exceptional scientific values.
The park is great for discovering native plant and animal life so take your time meandering around the lush bushland. You might even meet some native furry friends, so keep an eye out!
Later on, jump back in the car and continue on the A1 and then the State Route 57 to Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay is a beautiful seaside town that makes for great whale watching, swimming and wandering around in the open salty air.

Book yourself into a cosy Hervey Bay hotel for the night and recuperate for the day tomorrow.
Day Five – Fraser Island
Find some delicious nosh at a Hervey Bay cafe before making tracks. We recommend Swell Cafe if fresh produce and quality coffee are at the top of your priority list.
Hervey Bay makes a convenient base for a day trip to Fraser Island. Hop on a ferry across the water and relax on Seventy-Five Mile Beach for the day (keep an eye out for dingoes!).
Hot tip: Don’t forget to book a place on the ferry to Fraser Island

Whilst on the island, add Lake McKenzie and the Pinnacles to your hit list for some serious photo sessions.
When the day begins to wind down, head back to Hervey Bay and grab some delicious dinner to celebrate the end of your great Aussie road trip.
Day Six – Brisbane
Today you and your party people will drive back down the coast to Brisbane. Taking a total of three and a half hours along the A1 and M1, you’ll be able to stop in at any sights that you missed on the way up (or are keen to visit again!).
If you haven’t fully covered Brisbane, stay the night in a Brisbane hotel and do some more exploring of the QLD city.
Don’t leave it to the lastminute – get entering here!
Have we missed anything? Add your tips in the comments below!
Would be a trip of a lifetime. Special experience with special friends. What more could you ask for on a holiday!!!
Hi Lynne,
I agree – friends make everything better! What other Aussie trips have you been on that you’d recommend?
Shauna
Fantastic beaches and gorgeous sights out of the car window. I know i would have a chance to finally see a dugong on this trip. Mates, swimming with tules- couldnt ask for a better break!
Hi Gillian,
Where are the dugongs? I feel like there’s a big secret that I’m missing out on!
Make sure to enter the competition here so you’re in with a chance to win.
Shauna
I am in desperate need of a holiday, I would love to win this road trip …
Hi Lesley-sue,
I would love to win it too – it’s such a stunning part of the world.
Shauna
The only way is up and a little to the east.
Hi Helen,
It’s good to see your navigational skills are up to scratch! Perhaps you’d make a good driver for the trip?
Shauna
You forgot Australia Zoo – you need a whole day just for that!!!
Hi Alexandra,
Thanks for the tip! I’ve been to Taronga and Melbourne Zoos but not to Australia. Is there anywhere else on the trip that you’d recommend?
Shauna
Absolutely love qld where else would you want to live?? Beautiful one minute magnificent the next, especially Harvey Bay Area. Haven’t been there for years.
Hi Dot,
It sounds like you might be a little bit biased! But you’re absolutely right – QLD is stunning, and great for getting some good ol’ vitamin D.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been up north, but a return is on my list.
Shauna
I was born in Hervey Bay and have never been back there I also have some family there that I would like to meet. I am very connected to the whales and dolphins and would love the opportunity to reconnect with my roots and be a tourist at the same time.
Hi Sharon,
Hervey Bay is a pretty special part of the world, I agree. Make sure you enter the competition here so you don’t miss out on your chance to win!
Shauna
Never Been There Brisbane To Hervey Bay Would Love To See That Part Of Australia!!!!!!!!!
Hi Janeanne,
I definitely suggest a visit to beautiful north QLD. Would you recommend any other road trips in Australia?
Shauna
Would love to take the grandchildren to see the whales and all that the Queensland Coast has to offer
Hi Bronwyn,
I’m sure your grandchildren would love it. And don’t forget about the dolphins! Make sure you’ve entered the competition so you don’t miss out.
Shauna
What a fantastic holiday Brisbane to Hervey Bay, To enjoy the warm sunshine and the beautiful Queensland weather { Beautiful one day – Perfect the next }. To get away from Melbourne’s cold would be great. Can’t wait to see the whales and Fraser Island.
Hi Carmen,
Melbourne and Brisbane are both absolutely beautiful, but you’re right – they’re worlds apart in regards to the weather. I wouldn’t mind getting away to sunny Queensland myself 😉
Make sure you enter the competition before it ends at 3pm today! Enter here.
Shauna
Hi Shauna, I’ve just retired from full time nursing, now is the time to look after me and explore this beautiful country of ours before going off shore and while I am still able. So So much to explore I can’t wait, hopefully hopefully to be a winner.
Thanks for the chance > Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
What a great time to get away on a holiday!
Just a reminder, the competition ends at 3pm today so make sure you’ve entered here.
Good luck 🙂
Shauna
Love to surprise my cousin for her 50th birthday with this awesome holiday!!
Hi Donna,
I’m sure your cousin would love to be surprised with this holiday for her birthday!
The competition ends at 3pm today, so make sure you enter it here.
Shauna