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.
The Diamant Hotel
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.
Some of the tasty offerings from Eumundi markets
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.
Scope out a sunny spot at Shelley 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!