Cairns to Sydney Campervan 30-day itinerary if your traveling in a camper down the east coast. From Cairns to Sydney or vis versa. We understand some people want to travel shorter and sometimes longer. But this will give you a good idea of distance and time. So then you can tweak it to your own travel time.
DAY 1
Depart Cairns head 70 km north along the coastal road to Port Douglas. Driving time is around 1hr 15 min. And a great spot to have a night or two, and you can take or a walk along 4 Mile Beach. A great departure spot to get out to Agincourt reef. And if you happen to be there on Sunday Port Douglas Market is on from 8 am to 1.30 pm.
DAY 2
Time to get up and head north again this time we are headed to Mossman Gorge. 21 km north of Port Douglas great place to take a refreshing swim in the tropical waters. Or take an easy 10 min walk along the elevated boardwalk. In the afternoon we head into Cape Tribulation 67 km North of Mossman. driving time around 1 hour 30 min.
DAY 3 & 4
We are in the heart of Cape Tribulation. And the only place where two World Heritage-listed National Park meet. the Daintree National Park and the Great Barrier Reef. There are numerous activities to do here. If snorkeling is for you we suggest a half-day trip out with Ocean Safari. Swimming with the turtles in small groups. Or if Horse riding is for you how about riding along tranquil beaches with Cape Trib Horse Rides. Or even take a boardwalk in the Rainforest. We recommend a 2 day stay here.
DAY 5
Its time to get up early and head off to mission beach. Located 329 km south so our driving time is around 7 hours 15 mins. It will be great to try and arrive around 3 or 4 pm after a long drive so you can settle in for the night. As we have some adrenalin adventures tomorrow with rafting or skydiving or both
DAY 6
Its time to get your adrenalin pumping with some action with white water rafting on the Tully River. Or Skydiving and land on the beach with Skydive Australia. You will not be able to do both in 1 day so you can always extend an extra day. But we have some other great spots coming up for skydiving on the way down south.
DAY 7 & 8
Now that we have got our blood pumping with some action-adventure in Mission Beach, lets head south 235 km 3-hour drive to Magnetic Island and relax for a couple of days just located off Townsville. You can leave your camper in Townsville or you can take it with you to Magnetic Island.
Once on Magnetic island a great couple of hostels to stay are Selina and Nomads Backpackers. Some activities you can do on Magnetic Island are seeing the world war 2 ruins. Take the fort walk to spot koalas, check out the sunset at horseshoe bay. Or relax on the beaches and snorkel. Or if diving is your thing the Yongala shipwreck is a must-do on the East Coast. And you can even hire your own topless mini moke car. Our stay here will be 2 nights
DAY 9, 10, 11, & 12
Time to head south again 276 km to Airlie beach the gateway to the 74 islands of the Whitsundays. We are looking at a drive time around 3 hr 30 min. Its time for sailing there are plenty of choices here 1-day tours and overnight tours and an amazing place for a skydive with spectacular views of the islands We will have a 4-night stay here to match 2 days 2-night sailing adventure.
DAY 13 & 14
Heading south again we are on our way to Agnes Waters ( 1770) 707 km south of Airlie beach so around 8 hours 30 min drive so you want to leave early. This will break our trip up a little until we get to Fraser Island. Things you can do here visit the Great Barrier Reef, Scooter Roo Motorbike tour, bushwalking, kayak in the sunset, or just relax on the beach. we have advised a 2-night stay here.
DAY 15, 16, 17, & 18
On these days we have put 2 options here you can head south to Hervey Bay 245 km around 3 hours 30 min from Airlie Beach. at Hervey Bay, you can do Fraser Island tours and also Whale watching. We have added Rainbow Beach on this itinerary 4 hr 15 min south of Agnes Waters from here you can do 1-day tours and overnight tours to Fraser island. For overnight tagalong tours we recommend Pippes and K’gari adventures. These tours are tag-along tours this is when you go with other travelers in your own 4wd. You will be led out by an experienced team member from the companies and follow the team leader this will include camping and all food we have suggested a 3-day 2-night tour on this itinerary.
DAY 19, 20, & 21
Now heading south 100 km just over 1-hour drive we are on our way to Noosa. Here we can canoe the Noosa everglades 1 of only 2 everglades systems in the world. Try a surf lesson, visit Noosa National Park amazing beaches to relax on. And if you missed that skydive here is another great spot to jump out of a plane.
DAY 22 & 23
On our way to Brisbane the capital of Queensland for a 2-night stopover only 2-hour drive today 142 km. So on the way, you can visit Australia Zoo the home of Steve Irwin.
Spend a few hours there, then onto Brisbane. Also you can do awesome day trips or overnight tours to Moreton island.
DAY 24 & 25
Next stop the Gold Coast Surfers Paradise just 80 km 1-hour drive south from Brisbane. Here we have theme parks, nightlife, whale watching, visit national parks in the area or hire your own sailboat.
DAY 26, 27 & 28
Now we are off to the mecca for backpackers Byron Bay 100 km south of Surfers Paradise an easy 1-hour drive, So much to do here kayaking with dolphins a day trip to the hippy town of Nimbin, living the surfer lifestyle, whale watching swimming with turtles and so much more
DAY 29 & 30
We are on the home stretch now we have 2 days to get to Sydney 763 km south of Byron bay So around 9-hour drive. so stops along the way Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie. Obviously, on your schedule, you can change this to suit you trip.
If you decide to have a night or 2 in a hostel to break up the campervan along the way or if you are traveling in a car here are some places we recommend for you to stay on your trip. Mummas Backpackers, Port Douglas Dougies Backpackers, Cape Tribulation Safari Lodge, Mission Beach Jackaroo Treehouse, Magnetic Island YHA & Base Backpackers, Airlie Beach Magnums Nomads & Backpackers by the bay, Agnes waters Southern Cross Backpackers, Rainbow Beach Pippies Beach house, Noosa Nomads & Noosa Flashpackers, Chill Backpackers & Brisbane City Backpackers, Byron Bay Backpackers Inn.
If you would like further help or want to adjust this itinerary to your schedule please email us at bookings@cheapaztravel.com and we are more than happy to help you with a calendar to get you started. Happy travels & stay safe Marnie & Stu
