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Brisbane to Cairns Campervan Hire
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Brisbane to Cairns One Way Campervan Rental
Planning a campervan trip from Brisbane up north to Cairns? Explore Australia's East Coast in a one-way campervan rental.
Use our comparison tool above to check prices and availability on campervan rentals from multiple suppliers.
You can also travel in the opposite direction: from Cairns to Brisbane
Popular Campervans
Find the perfect camper for your travel needs.
Euro Deluxe 6
Apollo
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Alpha 2-Berth
Spaceships
Automatic
Vivid Camper
Apollo
Automatic
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Apollo
Manual
6-Berth Discovery
Cruisin
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
2-Berth Hitop
Hippie
Manual
Sleeper Van
Leisure Rent
Automatic
Trail Finder 4 1
Tasmania Campers
Automatic
Trail Finder 2/3
Tasmania Campers
Manual
Polaris 2
Star RV
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Beta 4 Berth Campervan Rooftop Tent
Spaceships
Automatic
Beta 2S Premium
Spaceships
Automatic
Brisbane to Cairns One Way Itinerary
This itinerary follows the coastline between the two major QLD cities of Brisbane and Cairns and covers a distance of over 1,800 km.
Part 1
Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast
Distance: 100-150 km
Estimated driving time: 1.5-3h
Things to see:
- Australia Zoo
- Glasshouse Mountains
- Sealife Aquarium
- Noosa Beach
Part 2
Sunshine Coast to Hervey Bay
Distance: 180-200 km
Estimated driving time: 2.5-3h
Popular attractions:
- Whale watching
- Fraser Island
Part 3
Hervey Bay to Bundaberg
Distance: 100-150 km
Estimated driving time: 1-2h
Attractions along the way:
- Bundaberg Rum Distillery
- Musgrave Island
- Southern Great Barrier Reef
Part 4
Bundaberg to Rockhampton
Distance: 250-300 km
Estimated driving time: 3.5-4h
Things to see:
- Rockhampton Botanic Gardens
- Japanese Garden
Part 5
Rockhampton to Airlie Beach
Distance: 450-500 km
Estimated driving time: 5.5-6h
Attractions along the way:
- Airlie Beach
- Whitsunday Islands
Part 6
Airlie Beach to Townsville
Distance: 250-280 km
Estimated driving time: 3.5-4h
Attractions:
- Reef HQ Aquarium
- Magnetic Island
- Billabong Sanctuary
Part 7
Townsville to Cairns
Distance: 340-380 km
Estimated driving time: 4.5-5h
Things to see:
- Great Barrier Reef
- Daintree Rainforest
- Kuranda Scenic Railway
The Great Barrier Reef
When you’re in Cairns, it’s hard to miss the 2,300 km long World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
No shortage of tour operators can deliver a day trip by boat, with opportunities to enjoy warm, calm water snorkelling and scuba diving, surrounded by the reef system’s renowned, vibrantly coloured marine life.
There are also glass-bottomed boats and submarine experiences, and options to suit everyone, including pontoons, stationed within the Outer Reef and various islands of the reef.
The Rainforest
Apart from the reef, the second most likely destination you’re likely to explore near Cairns is the Wet Tropics Rainforest, with two of the most popular destinations for a day being Kuranda and Daintree.
Kuranda is a town on the Barron River, 15.5 miles from Cairns, with a scenic train and cable car making for an easy day trip.
Known for its exceptional biodiversity, the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest (which contains Daintree National Park), north of Cairns, is part of the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest on the Australian continent, as well as the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.
The Whitsundays
Plenty of 1-day and multi-day cruises are available to explore the spectacular white beaches of the Whitsundays. One of Australia’s most loved and most photographed beaches is Whitehaven beach.
See our blog post A Snapshot of Tropical Queensland for more inspirational photos.
Hamilton Island
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any one-way rental fees?
Campervan rental companies may charge a one-way rental fee. If there is such a fee we will include it in the rental price listed in our comparison tool.
Can I travel in the opposite direction - from Cairns to Brisbane?
Yes - simply use the search tool at the top of this page to check availability.
Can I take my rental campervan on the beach?
Most rental suppliers in Australia restrict travel to sealed bitumen roads. Travel off-road on sand and beaches is expressly forbidden, and doing so will void your contract. You will also be liable for any damages incurred while travelling on the beach.
