Australia · 14 days · 2,400 km · One-way
Sydney to Cairns along the East Coast
The classic Australian Pacific road trip. Surf beaches, Hunter Valley wineries, whales off Byron Bay, paradise islands near Brisbane and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns.
Highlights
- Sydney → Hunter Valley (wine country)
- Port Stephens (wild dolphins)
- Byron Bay (lighthouse and whales)
- Gold Coast (theme parks)
- Brisbane and South Bank
- Noosa (Sunshine Coast beaches)
- Whitsundays (sailing and snorkelling)
- Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Sydney → Newcastle / Hunter Valley
Sydney → Pokolbin · 200 km
- · Pickup the motorhome in Sydney
- · Wine tasting in Hunter Valley
Overnight: Pokolbin BIG4 Holiday Park
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Day 2
Hunter Valley → Port Stephens
Pokolbin → Nelson Bay · 110 km
- · Wild dolphin watching in Nelson Bay
- · Stockton Beach sand dunes
Overnight: Halifax Holiday Park
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Day 3
Port Stephens → Coffs Harbour
Nelson Bay → Coffs Harbour · 380 km
- · The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour
- · Solitary Islands Marine Park
Overnight: Coffs Coast Holiday Park
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Day 4
Coffs Harbour → Byron Bay
Coffs Harbour → Byron Bay · 240 km
- · Cape Byron Lighthouse at sunrise
- · Surfing at Wategos Beach
- · Whale watching in season (Jun-Nov)
Overnight: Broken Head Holiday Park
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Day 5
Byron Bay → Gold Coast
Byron Bay → Gold Coast · 100 km
- · Surfers Paradise
- · Burleigh Heads National Park
Overnight: Treasure Island Resort
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Day 6
Gold Coast → Brisbane
Gold Coast → Brisbane · 80 km
- · South Bank and Story Bridge
- · Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Overnight: Brisbane Holiday Village
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Day 7
Brisbane → Noosa
Brisbane → Noosa · 150 km
- · Hastings Street
- · Noosa National Park coastal walk
Overnight: Noosa River Holiday Park
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Day 8
Noosa → Hervey Bay
Noosa → Hervey Bay · 220 km
- · Gateway to Fraser Island (no 2WD access; walking tours available)
Overnight: Discovery Parks Hervey Bay
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Day 9
Hervey Bay → Agnes Water / 1770
Hervey Bay → Agnes Water · 280 km
- · Northernmost surf beach
- · Sunset at the Town of 1770
Overnight: Workmans Beach Holiday Park
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Day 10
Agnes Water → Mackay
Agnes Water → Mackay · 480 km
- · Travel day with refuelling stops
Overnight: Mackay Marine Tourist Park
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Day 11
Mackay → Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
Mackay → Airlie Beach · 150 km
- · Boat day to Whitehaven Beach
- · Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef
Overnight: BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday
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Day 12
Airlie Beach → Townsville
Airlie Beach → Townsville · 280 km
- · The Strand
- · Magnetic Island (ferry)
Overnight: Rowes Bay Beachfront Holiday Park
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Day 13
Townsville → Mission Beach
Townsville → Mission Beach · 240 km
- · Cassowary habitat
- · Palm-fringed beaches
Overnight: Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Park
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Day 14
Mission Beach → Cairns
Mission Beach → Cairns · 140 km
- · Drop-off in Cairns
- · Afternoon on the Esplanade lagoon
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.