⚡ Opening Traverse Travel booking engine in 5 seconds...
Overview
"Join the Share Bus 17 day Brisbane to Cairns trip to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, explore iconic beaches & stunning waterfalls at your own pace & budget!
We’re not a tour, you share the rental of our bus, trailer & equipment with other solo ..."
Jump on the Share Bus to travel with a bunch of other backpackers between Brisbane and Cairns to see the biggest highlights of the East Coast. This is the stuff of backpacker dreams! Take the opportunity to do a 4WD tour on K’gari (Fraser Island), kayak in the Whitsundays, see incredible beaches, mountains, rainforest and animals. Think Noosa, Sunshine Coast, and incredible islands, beaches and towns.
This trip goes for 17 days and 16 nights. The destination is set, but the route is not – take control of your own adventure!
See some incredible hinterland, rainforest and beaches as you travel the Sunshine Coast and stop by Noosa. We’ll recommend a great 4WD tour to see K’gari (Fraser Island), so you can head over there to drive along the beach, tube down a creek, or spot the shipwrecks (and dingoes!). Or you can stay on the mainland to chill out at Rainbow Beach. Keep heading north as you explore the coastline and stop at beaches to swim. You could even go for a surf at Agnes Waters or hang out with some kangaroos at a beach at sunrise. Once in Airlie Beach you can look into taking a water taxi to an island in the Whitsundays to camp overnight and explore the area by kayak. Continue further north swimming, surfing, hiking throughout the wonderful nature and beaches. Don’t forget Magnetic Island and Mission beach! Swim by a few waterfalls before heading into Cairns.
Expect to get fit with lots of hiking, snorkelling and exercise as you appreciate the natural sights. This is a no-frills adventure – you’ll be setting up your own tents, sharing the driving, cooking your own dinner and sharing your tent with other 1 or 2 travellers. The target age group is 18-35. It’s a fun and social option for backpacking the east coast from Brisbane to Cairns.
Itinerary
Day 01: Glass House Mountains
Meet us in Brisbane for the handover of the Share Bus before heading to the Glass House Mountains. Create a group Spotify playlist and pump tunes while taking the scenic Blackall Range Drive through Maleny, Montville, and Mapleton. Maybe stop at Gardners Falls and check out local lookouts before setting up camp nearby.
Day 02: Sunshine Coast
If you missed the drive yesterday, finish it up before heading east. Stop at Buderim Falls, then hit Mooloolaba, Marcoola, and Coolum Beaches. Arrive in Noosa for sunset and settle in.
Day 03: Noosa
Noosa has its own, amazing national park. Look up and you’ll see koalas in the trees. Take the coastal track through the park and visit the “Fairy Pools”. It is also home to the Noosa Everglades – one of only two everglades’ system in the world. Kayak to the upper reaches to see the “River of Mirrors”.
Day 04 Rainbow Beach
Again, travel north along the east coast. Visit the rainbow sand dunes at Rainbow Beach and see the incredibly large sand dune at Carlo Sandblow. Then get prepared for your trip to K’gari over the next couple days.
Day 05-06: K'Gari
We can recommend some great 4WD tours to explore K’gari. Swim in lakes, drive on sandy beaches, and see the rainforest. Not going? Use the minibus to check out Hervey Bay or Tin Can Bay instead.
Day 05-06: K'Gari
We can recommend some great 4WD tours to explore K’gari. Swim in lakes, drive on sandy beaches, and see the rainforest. Not going? Use the minibus to check out Hervey Bay or Tin Can Bay instead..
Day 07: Agnes Water
Continue north to Agnes Water—a seaside town partially known for being the cheapest place to learn to surf in Queensland. Walk the paperbark forest, then head to Seventeen Seventy to visit the historic landing spot of Captain Cook.
Day 08: Cape Hillsborough
It’s a big driving day, so plan breaks or stop overnight partway. If you make it to Cape Hillsborough, you can see kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise.
Day 09-10: Airlie Beach
Arrive in Airlie Beach and choose your adventure—book a Whitsundays tour or grab a water taxi to a nearby island.
Day 09-10: Airlie Beach
Arrive in Airlie Beach and choose your adventure—book a Whitsundays tour or grab a water taxi to a nearby island.
Day 11-12: Townsville
Here you have the option to ferry to Magnetic Island. Explore beaches, hike, snorkel, or just relax. Leave your trailer locked on the mainland while you enjoy island life. If you don’t want to take the ferry, there are plenty of beaches near Townsville to explore.
Day 11-12: Townsville
Here you have the option to ferry to Magnetic Island. Explore beaches, hike, snorkel, or just relax. Leave your trailer locked on the mainland while you enjoy island life. If you don’t want to take the ferry, there are plenty of beaches near Townsville to explore.
Day 13: Paluma Range
Head into the rainforest at Paluma Range for waterfalls and swimming holes (and the chance to spot turtles!). Then visit the stunning Cardwell Spa Pool before settling in for the night.
Day 14: Mission Beach
Relax on Mission Beach or take a day trip to Dunk or Bedarra Island. Visit the chocolate factory, wander through town, or explore nearby national parks.
Day 15-16: Wooroonooran National Park
Spend two days in lush rainforest. Visit the Mamu Skywalk, Nandroya Falls, and Josephine Falls. Then check out Babinda Boulders, Devil’s Pool, and Walsh’s Pyramid.
Day 15-16: Wooroonooran National Park
Spend two days in lush rainforest. Visit the Mamu Skywalk, Nandroya Falls, and Josephine Falls. Then check out Babinda Boulders, Devil’s Pool, and Walsh’s Pyramid.
Day 17: Atherton and Cairns
Finish with a scenic detour to the Atherton Tablelands to see the Curtain Fig and Lake Eacham. Then roll into Cairns, clean up the van, and celebrate the end of your east coast road trip.