Support
Cairns to Melbourne Campervan Rental
Cairns to Melbourne One Way Motorhome Hire
Setting out from Cairns to Melbourne? Travel from the tropics to the city with a one-way campervan hire. Use our tool above to find the best hire options along this epic route.
You can also hire a camper in the opposite direction: from Melbourne to Cairns.
Cairns to Melbourne One Way Itinerary
Day 1
Cairns, Queensland to Townsville, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 350 km (217 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 4 hours
Things to See:
- The Strand (beachfront promenade in Townsville)
- Castle Hill Lookout
- Billabong Sanctuary (native wildlife park)
Day 2
Townsville to Airlie Beach, Queensland
Distance: 275 km (171 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 3.5 hours
Things to See:
- Bowen Beaches (Horseshoe Bay)
- Airlie Beach Lagoon
- Whitsunday Islands (boat tours available)
Day 3
Airlie Beach to Rockhampton, Queensland
Distance: 480 km (298 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 5.5 hours
Must-See Stops:
- Capricorn Caves (guided tours)
- Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo
- Mount Archer National Park
Day 4
Rockhampton to Hervey Bay, Queensland
Distance: 400 km (249 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 5 hours
Highlights:
- Bundaberg Rum Distillery (detour in Bundaberg)
- Mon Repos Turtle Centre (seasonal nesting)
- Hervey Bay Esplanade
Day 5
Hervey Bay to Noosa Heads, Queensland
Distance: 190 km (118 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2.5 hours
Points of Interest:
- Fraser Island (day trips available)
- Noosa National Park (coastal hikes)
- Main Beach, Noosa Heads
Day 6
Noosa Heads to Brisbane, Queensland
Distance: 140 km
Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours
Things to See:
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- South Bank Parklands
- Story Bridge Climb
Day 7
Brisbane to Byron Bay, New South Wales
Distance: 165 km (103 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours
Attractions:
- Cape Byron Lighthouse
- Main Beach, Byron Bay
- Arakwal National Park
Day 8
Byron Bay to Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Distance: 240 km (149 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 3 hours
Highlights:
- Big Banana Fun Park
- Forest Sky Pier at Sealy Lookout
- Solitary Islands Marine Park
Day 9
Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Distance: 160 km (99 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours
Things to See:
- Koala Hospital
- Tacking Point Lighthouse
- Hastings River
Day 10
Port Macquarie to Newcastle, New South Wales
Distance: 250 km (155 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 3 hours
Points of Interest:
- Blackbutt Reserve
- Nobbys Beach
- Newcastle Memorial Walk
Day 11
Newcastle to Sydney, New South Wales
Distance: 170 km (106 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours
Highlights:
- Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Bondi Beach and Bondi to Coogee Walk
Day 12
Sydney to Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Distance: 290 km (180 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 3.5 hours
Things to Experience:
- Australian War Memorial
- Parliament House
- National Gallery of Australia
Day 13
Canberra to Albury, New South Wales
Distance: 340 km (211 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 4 hours
Attractions Along the Way:
- Lake Hume
- Albury Botanic Gardens
- Wonga Wetlands
Day 14
Albury to Melbourne, Victoria
Distance: 330 km (205 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 3.5 hours
Must-See Stops:
- Federation Square
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Melbourne’s laneways and street art
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free camping allowed in Cairns?
Free camping is only allowed at designated sites in Cairns, and overnight parking is generally prohibited. Staying at a holiday park or caravan park will generally cost about $50–$260 (AUD) per night.
Some popular campgrounds include: NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, Cool Waters Holiday Park and NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park.
It’s worth planning to spend several days in the Cairns area, as there’s a lot to explore within a relatively short distance from the city. To the south are the Atherton Tablelands with multiple waterfalls, to the west is Kuranda and Barron Gorge National Park, and to the north are Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest.
Of course, Cairns City itself is a great base for excursions into the Great Barrier Reef.
Can I take my rental campervan beyond Cape Tribulation?
No, the road from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown in Far North Queensland is unsealed and can be challenging. Generally, companies restrict access to this area. Check with your rental company if you have any questions about restricted areas.
Can I take my rental campervan to Cape York?
Generally, regular 2WD campervans are not permitted to travel to Cape York. Many companies make exceptions for 4WD campers, but written permission must be obtained first. Check with your rental supplier for any questions regarding restricted areas.
Can I rent a campervan just for the weekend?
Most companies generally have a minimum rental period. Weekend rentals are possible, but the minimum rental period can range from one day to a full week, depending on the time of year.
Enter your dates in the comparison tool to see which vehicles are available for your travel dates.
Are one-way campervan rentals available?
Yes, a large number of companies allow for one-way hires. Our comparison tool will show you availability on your preferred route and automatically factor in any one-way fees charged by the supplier.
A one-way motorhome road trip starting or ending in Cairns is a popular way to explore the East Coast of Australia. Many travellers choose Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney or even Melbourne as the other end of their journey.
Popular stopping points for travellers along their way to Cairns include Mission Beach, Airlie Beach and Townsville.
