Pick up your Apollo camper in Brisbane, stock up on snacks and fresh produce, and point the van north on the Bruce Highway. Today you’ll ease into road-trip mode with two classic Sunshine Coast stops on the way to Hervey Bay.

Stops on the way

• Caloundra & Moffat Beach: Break up the first hour or so of highway driving with a coffee or early lunch in Caloundra. Wander down to Moffat Beach for a stroll or a quick swim, then jump back on the road.

• Rainbow Beach & Carlo Sand Blow: Continue north and detour to Rainbow Beach. From town, take the short signed walk to Carlo Sand Blow, where a huge dune system opens up to big views of the coast and coloured sands. It’s an easy way to get that “we’re really away now” feeling without a long hike.

Things to do in Hervey Bay

Roll into Hervey Bay late afternoon, get settled at your holiday park and stretch your legs along the Esplanade. This is one of Australia’s best bases for whale watching (July to October) and K’gari (Fraser Island) tours, so it’s worth staying put for a full day tomorrow.

Where to stay

• Hervey Bay Caravan Park: Peaceful setting on seven acres, with powered slab sites, pool, camp kitchen and an easy walk to shops.

• Windmill Caravan Park (Urangan): Smaller park close to the pier, botanic gardens and beach, handy if you want to be near the water.

Today is all about slowing down and enjoying what you drove here for.

Things to do in Hervey Bay

• Whale watching (July to October): From July to October, the calm waters of Hervey Bay become a hangout for humpback whales and their calves. Join a half-day or full-day cruise to see them up close on their migration.

• K’gari (Fraser Island) day tour: If you’re keen to step onto the world’s largest sand island, book a guided 4WD day tour from Hervey Bay. Expect a mix of rainforest, clear freshwater lakes and long, wild beaches. Note: Apollo vehicles aren’t permitted on K’gari, but there are many day tour options to choose from which leave from the mainland. 

• Esplanade & beach time: On a quieter day, simply wander or cycle the Hervey Bay Esplanade, ducking into cafes, playgrounds and picnic spots along the waterfront.

Where to stay

Second night at Hervey Bay Caravan Park or your chosen holiday park, so you don’t have to move the camper between activities.

This is your longest driving day of the trip. Leave early, keep stops simple, and you’ll be rewarded with a full evening by the beach in Yeppoon.

Stops on the way

• Childers: A handy stop for fuel, bakery pies or a short wander along the heritage main street.

• Miriam Vale / roadside rest areas: Use one of the small towns or rest stops purely for a leg stretch, toilet break and a driver change if needed.

Things to do in Yeppoon

Arrive in Yeppoon, a relaxed coastal town just north-east of Rockhampton:

• Walk the Yeppoon foreshore and lagoon for a late swim or sunset stroll.

• Start planning tomorrow’s options, from bush and beaches in Byfield National Park to a Great Keppel Island day trip for snorkelling and sheltered bays.

Where To Stay

Beachside Holiday Caravan Park Yeppoon: Friendly, absolute beachfront park with powered and unpowered sites looking across to the Keppel Islands, and an easy walk or quick drive into town and the lagoon.

Ease out of Yeppoon, rejoin the highway via Rockhampton, and follow the coast-hugging Bruce Highway north towards Mackay.

Stops on the way

• Rockhampton: A quick coffee or supermarket top up if you need supplies, and a stretch along the riverfront.

• Clairview: A tiny seaside community often called “Dugong Country”, with views over the bay and a quiet, laid back feel - a nice place for lunch or a short break from highway driving.

Things to do in Mackay

In Mackay, you can:

• Cool off at Bluewater Lagoon, a free outdoor lagoon complex near the river (check opening times).

• Wander the heritage streets and art deco buildings in town.

• Start planning an early start or extra night if you want to add Cape Hillsborough or Eungella National Park later in your trip.

Where to stay

BIG4 Mackay Blacks Beach Holiday Park: Absolute beachfront park overlooking the southern Whitsundays, with powered caravan sites, pool, splash pad, camp kitchen and modern amenities.

Today is intentionally shorter, so you can arrive in Airlie Beach with plenty of daylight left.

Optional early side trip

Cape Hillsborough sunrise: If you’re really keen and have allowed time, stay closer to Cape Hillsborough the night before, or leave very early from Mackay to catch kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise. This works best if travellers add an extra night in the area, rather than trying to squeeze it into a normal morning.

Things to do in Airlie Beach

• Wander the Airlie Beach Lagoon and foreshore today.

• Book your Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach or Great Barrier Reef tours for tomorrow. There’s everything from relaxed day sails to faster trips with snorkelling and lookouts like Hill Inlet.

• Enjoy dinner along the main street; this is one of the livelier evening stops on the route.

Where to stay

• Seabreeze Tourist Park (Cannonvale): Pet-friendly park opposite Cannonvale Beach, with powered sites and a shady, grassed setting, a short stroll or bike ride along the waterfront path into Airlie Beach.

• Families can also look at nearby BIG4-style parks around Airlie with pools and water play areas.

This is your big experience day in the Whitsundays.

Things to do

• Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet: Join a full-day or half-day tour to the bright white sands of Whitehaven Beach, often combined with snorkelling and lookouts over Hill Inlet.

• Outer reef trips: If you’d prefer more time in the water, pick a Great Barrier Reef cruise with pontoon access, guided snorkels or introductory dives.

• Back on shore: Spend the late afternoon wandering the markets (when on), relaxing by the lagoon, or watching the boats come and go from the marina.

Where to stay

Second night at your chosen Airlie / Cannonvale holiday park so you can walk to your tour departure and back without moving the camper.

Say goodbye to Airlie today, and follow the Bruce Highway north again!

Stops on the way

Bowen
 A classic halfway stop with a couple of fun highlights:

• Horseshoe Bay: a sheltered cove with granite headlands and calm water on a good day.

• The Big Mango on the highway for a quick photo and, if the kiosk is open, some mango sorbet.

Things to do in Townsville

Arrive in Townsville mid-to-late afternoon:

• Stroll The Strand, Townsville’s waterfront promenade with swim enclosures, playgrounds and views to Magnetic Island.

• If you’ve still got energy, drive up Castle Hill for sunset views over the city and islands.

• If you’re adding extra time to your trip, Townsville is the ideal base for a full day on Magnetic Island via the ferry.

Where to stay

Townsville Tourist & Lifestyle Village: Caravan park with powered sites set in landscaped gardens, a short drive from town and The Strand, with pool and amenities.

Today the scenery leans properly tropical! You will leave the city behind and follow the highway through cane fields, wetlands and mountain backdrops before rolling into laid-back Mission Beach.

Stops on the way

• TYTO Wetlands, Ingham: Stretch your legs on the boardwalks and tracks at TYTO Wetlands, known for birdlife and easy walks near town.

• Cardwell: Pause on the Cardwell foreshore for views over Hinchinbrook Island. If conditions are right, a short inland detour to Cardwell Spa Pools can be a fun extra, but water levels and colour vary with the seasons, so it’s worth checking recent photos or local advice.

Note: Wallaman Falls is a spectacular side trip from Ingham, but it’s a significant detour and best if you don’t mind adding an extra night in the area, rather than making it a part of a standard driving day.

Things to do in Mission Beach

Arrive in Mission Beach, where rainforest runs almost down to the sand:

• Take a walk along the palm-fringed beach and look across to Dunk Island.

• Browse the small collection of cafes and shops in town.

• If you’re chasing adrenaline, Mission Beach is also known for skydiving onto the beach (for those who want to level up the road trip story).

Where To Stay

• Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Village: Powered caravan and camping sites in a central, tropical garden setting close to the beach.

• Mission Beach Camping & Caravan Park: Beachfront caravan park right on the sand. Always be sure to check current rules and availability before you book!

Your last driving day is deliberately short so you can ease into Cairns rather than rush in. Have one more unrushed breakfast by the beach, then point the camper north for the final stretch!

Stops on the way

Tully
Tully makes an easy first stop. Snap a photo with the Golden Gumboot, grab a coffee and learn a little about the town’s sugar and high rainfall history.

If you have a bit more time and the weather is playing nicely, you can add one or both of these on the way into Cairns:

• Babinda Boulders: A rainforest swimming hole and picnic area south of Cairns, with signed walking tracks and clear water on a good day.

• Josephine Falls: A picture perfect waterfall with a short walk to viewing platforms and rock pools.

Always check local conditions, signage and safety advice before swimming, especially after heavy rain!

Things to do in Cairns

Roll into Cairns, park up the camper and swap driving time for exploring time.

• Stroll the Cairns Esplanade, including the lagoon, boardwalk and playgrounds – it is a nice way to stretch out after the highway.

• Wander through the marina area and check out the reef tour boats you might want to book for an extra day or two.

If you are extending your stay, you can start planning:

• a full day out on the Great Barrier Reef,

• a Kuranda day via Skyrail / Scenic Railway, or

• a guided trip to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.

Return your Apollo camper at the Cairns branch when you are done, either this afternoon or after a few extra days if you decide to linger.

FAQs and quick answers

1. Is the drive from Brisbane to Cairns worth it?
   Yes, as long as you break it into multiple days! Brisbane to Cairns is roughly 1,700 km and around 19–20 hours of pure driving via the Bruce Highway, but the real value is in the stops: Sunshine Coast region, Hervey Bay, Capricorn Coast, Mackay and Airlie Beach/Whitsundays, Townsville, Mission Beach and Cairns for reef and rainforest.

2. Where should I stop on the road trip from Brisbane to Cairns?
   Popular overnight stops include Hervey Bay → Yeppoon → Mackay → Airlie Beach → Townsville → Mission Beach → Cairns, with optional extras like Rainbow Beach/Carlo Sand Blow, Clairview, Bowen, TYTO Wetlands and Cardwell along the way. With a campervan, you can easily tweak the route to match the time you have.

3. What is the halfway point between Brisbane and Cairns?
   There’s no exact “official” halfway town, but many road-trippers treat the Mackay / Airlie Beach region as the practical midpoint. By the time you reach the Whitsundays area, you’ve usually done around half the driving hours and can reward yourself with a reef or island day before continuing north!

4. How many days do you need in Cairns?
   This itinerary arrives in Cairns on Day 9, but if you want to properly experience both reef and rainforest, aim for at least 2–3 extra nights. That gives you time for one full day on the Great Barrier Reef, one day around Kuranda or rainforest/waterfalls, and, if you’re going further north, a day trip to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

Ready to plan your Brisbane to Cairns campervan adventure?

Hire an Apollo camper in Brisbane, pre-book key holiday parks in Hervey Bay, Yeppoon, Mackay, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Mission Beach and Cairns, then keep a little flex in your schedule. 

Some of the best moments on this route are the small ones – a lookout a local tells you about at a campground, a dugong sighting you only get because you pulled over for a cuppa, or a sunset you catch because you decided to stop “just for five minutes”.