5 best Aussie road trips (part 3: QLD, SA)

1  Brisbane to Cairns, QLD

Leave flashy Brisvegas and head north to Tropical North Queensland along the east coast of Australia. You’ll pass the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Fraser Island, Bundaberg, Yeppoon and Airlie Beach before stopping for a selfie in Mission Beach. After that, it’s a cool 2 hours to Cairns where you can reward yourself with a drink on the Esplanade.

2  Cairns to Cape York via Cape Tribulation, QLD

The route between Cairns and Cape York takes in quaint, laid-back towns and stunning coastal scenery. Stop at Cape Tribulation and admire the beauty but be mindful of nature’s predators (notably crocs and stinging jellyfish). Explore where the Daintree Forest meets the Great Barrier Reef on this spellbinding coast drive that will have you gaping in awe at Australia’s natural beauty.

3  75-Mile Highway, Fraser Island, QLD

Pack the 4WD and head to Fraser Island to see the world’s largest sand island and local dingo population. While you’re there, you’ll also see humpbacks migrating, magnificent sand dune systems, towering rainforests and spectacular lakes. This World Heritage-listed island is home to one of the best coastal drives in the world — the iconic 75-Mile Beach Road.

4  Eyre Peninsula, SA

Pack the car and head on a day-long drive from Adelaide, and you’ll end up in the magnificent Eyre Peninsula. Travel from Whyalla to Port Lincoln and on to Ceduna where you’ll see incredible native wildlife, taste fresh seafood at the local eateries, and explore the most stunning coastal scenery South Australia has to offer.

5  Nullarbor Plain, SA

The legendary and treeless Nullarbor Plain is a fascinating stretch of land located in the middle of the Eyre Highway. This straight area of road runs 146km long and holds the world record for the longest straight road. The Nullarbor Plain can be reached from the major cities of Adelaide, Perth or Melbourne and is one of the experiences you should tick off on your travel bucket list.