Best Places to Stop Between Brisbane and Airlie Beach
Travelling the East Coast of Australia is widely popular amongst backpackers, grey nomads, van-lifer’s and adventure enthusiasts. There are SO many must-see sights between Brisbane and Airlie Beach that you have to check out. The 1,000km stretch is full of coastal beach towns, waterfalls, mountains and stunning scenery. From 4x4ing on Fraser Island to surfing on the Sunshine Coast, there is plenty to do between the two. Ensure you allow plenty of time on your journey to check out these cool little gems!
1. NOOSA
So, you’ve probably wined and dined yourself out in vibrant Brisbane and you’re keen to escape the city chaos, ready to kick-back in relaxing beach towns. We recommend that the first stop on your journey north should be Noosa. It’s only a short hour-long drive away. The drive itself isn’t too exciting as it’s simply highway. But trust us, the destination is worth it! Noosa is a tourist hotspot which means it is a little pricey (there are super cute boutiques and fancy restaurants to check out if that’s up your alley) but taking in the coastal scenery is totally free!
There are some awesome walking tracks in Noosa’s National Park to check out that you can walk to from the town’s centre. From steep mountain climbs to short paths to lookouts, the park has a walking trail for all levels of fitness. Plus the views are incredible! Noosa is also a surfing hotspot so grab your board if you’re a keen surfer (or hire one and give it a go if you’re not). From charming cafes on the boulevard to lively bars on the beachfront, Noosa’s got it all.
2. Fraser Island
Once you’ve soaked in as much sun and relaxation as possible in Noosa, continue the journey and pop on over to Fraser Island. It’s only a 1-2 hour drive north of Noosa but it’s a definite must-see! Fraser Island is listed as a World-Heritage site, is famous for being the home of the Aussie dingo, and is one of the largest sand islands in the world. The island is also filled with over 100 freshwater lakes, shipwrecks, white sandy beaches (that you can 4x4 on), dense rainforests, incredible hiking trails, and an abundance of wildlife.
Fraser Island has a lot of cultural significance as it is also known as K’gari, an Aboriginal word which means ‘paradise’. The name is derived from an Aboriginal Dreamtime story which tells the tale of a goddess named K’gari who loved the earth so much she became a great sand island so she could be part of the earth forever. If you’re keen on exploring all that Fraser Island has to offer, check out Fraser Tours to see what tour screams your name!
3. AGNES WATERS
Agnes Waters is a bit of a longer stint of driving as it’s five hours from Fraser Island. We recommend stopping via Bundaberg to break up the drive. Grab a photo with the famous giant bottle of rum and perhaps even buy yourself a bottle for later! Spend your time in Agnes kayaking with dolphins, fishing, feasting on local food from the many cafes and bakeries, diving the shipwrecks, exploring deserted beaches, or hiking through the national parks. You could even hop on a boat and take a trip out to Lady Musgrove island where you can snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef or explore the hiking trails on the island.
Neighbouring Agnes Waters is a picturesque coastal town called Seventeen Seventy (the name was chosen by Captain Cook as that’s the year he discovered the area). The little-known town is just as beautiful as Noosa but far less tourist populated. Definitely worth checking out if you’ve got the time!
4. YEPPOON
Agnes to Yeppoon is only a three hour drive which isn't too bad! And you're only five hours away from your final destination! Yeppoon is located 40km northeast of Rockhampton. It’s a little out of the way but trust us, it’s worth checking out and a great place to stay for a day or two! Spend your time in Yeppoon wandering down the beachy boulevard, admiring the street art, befriending the local wildlife, indulging in gourmet café food, sipping cocktails at bars, or hiking through the nearby rainforest.
Yeppoon’s lagoon (what a tongue-twister) is like no other! The 2,500 square metre resort style lagoon is directly on the beach front, with an infinity edge overlooking the postcard-worthy Keppel islands, you’ll feel like you’re in a resort It’s the perfect way to spend a morning, afternoon or even the whole day (weather permitting). Soak in all that Yeppoon has to offer before hopping back into the car to finish off the final leg of the journey. Airlie Beach here we come!
5. AIRLIE
You’ve made it to Airlie, woo-hoo! Now that the driving is done, it’s time to kick back, relax and switch into holiday mode. Make sure you’ve locked yourself in for a few days in Airlie as the list of activities is endless. Activities include; overnight or day sails to the Great Barrier Reef and the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands, checking out nearby waterfalls, skydiving or taking scenic flights over the Whitsunday region, indulging in the deliciously wide range of restaurants and cafes along Airlie’s boulevard, or hitting the town and discovering why Airlie’s nightlife is one of the best in Australia!
Scroll through this article if you want to find out more ways you can spend your time in vibrant Airlie Beach.
