As far as road trips go, it doesn’t get much better than the East Coast of Australia. Take a drive with us from Sydney to Cairns to discover some of the incredible highlights you’ll want to include next time you get behind the wheel and head north.

In a perfect world, you’d take your time and spend weeks making your way up to tropical Cairns, stopping where you please when you stumble upon a stunning spot and feel like staying a while. For those of us with limited time, planning ahead is the secret to a successful road trip.

We’ve made it easy for you to take in the top beaches, attractions, nature spots and adventure opportunities between Sydney and Tropical North Queensland. Let’s hit the road!

Sydney to Port Stephens – 2.5 hours

Breaking up your trip is a must if you want your trip to be as much about the journey as it is the destination. With its giant sand dunes and sparkling water, Port Stephens is a beauty. We recommend spending an hour or two sandboarding the dunes that stretch for 32km along Stockton Beach. The views from the top are spectacular and thrill-seekers of all ages will find themselves whooping and hollering with joy as they whizz down the dunes.

No one would blame you if you arrived in Port Stephens and found it impossible to leave – farewelling the beautiful beaches, frolicking dolphins and tasty seafood isn’t easy for anyone.

Port Stephens to Bellingen – 4 hours

A visit to Bellingen requires a 30-minute detour inland from the coast, but this happening little bohemian town is well worth putting on your map. You’ll drive through verdant countryside just south of Coffs Harbour to reach this hidden gem.

You could come for lunch and a wander around the shops, but why not stay a night or two to really take in the town and its surrounds? A short but beautiful drive from Bellingen to Dorrigo National Park will see you walking through World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest to waterfalls, lookouts and picnic spots.

Bellingen to Byron Bay – 3 hours

The beaches alone make Byron Bay a holiday favourite, but its meteoric rise in popularity over the past few decades is all about the vibe. The hippies and surfers that have long gravitated to Byron now share bustling streets with tourists from all over the world.

Refuel in town (there are cafes and eateries galore) before walking to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, the most easterly point of Australia. A 3.7km walking loop will take you along cliffside paths with sweeping views over golden beaches and breaking waves along this stunning stretch of coastline (keep an eye out for migrating whales). Take your pick of beaches to swim, sunbake, surf or splash about in rock pools – you really can’t go wrong.

When the sun goes down, check out the live music scene or grab a picnic table beside Main Beach and feast on fish and chips.

Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise – 1 hour, 20 minutes

It’s time to shake up the pace! Surfers Paradise is a glitzy beachside city handy to Queensland’s best theme parks. Choose from Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movieworld, Seaworld or Wet’n’Wild – or do them all with a three-day pass for unlimited rides, waterslides, animal encounters and shows.

The thrills keep coming at Skypoint, where you’ll hop into a harness and scale the outside of a 270m-high building to a suspended open-air platform. Make the climb at daybreak or sunrise for extra incredible views.

Surfers Paradise to Noosa – 3 hours, 20 minutes

Natural beauty and sophistication combine in Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast. Upmarket shopping and restaurants on Hastings Street give way to coastal trails winding through the natural wonderland of Noosa National Park.

Explore Noosa River by kayak or paddleboard or join a guided tour to paddle the pristine waters of the Noosa Everglades, a 60km stretch of narrow waterways in the upper reaches of the Noosa River – it’s beyond peaceful.

Australia Zoo is a day trip well worth making time for if you’re staying in Noosa for a few days. This conservation-minded zoo, run by the Irwin family, will bring you face-to-face with wildlife from around Australia and endangered species from across the globe.

Noosa to Airlie Beach – 11 hours

The coastal town of Airlie Beach is widely known as the gateway to the islands of the Whitsundays. It’s a hike (almost 1000km!) to get there though so we suggest overnighting in Rockhampton on the way to break up the trip.

Once in Airlie Beach, take a boat ride to Whitsunday Island, home to the famous white sands and azure waters of Whitehaven Beach.

The Whitsunday islands, located in the Great Barrier Reef, are a dream for snorkelling, diving and hiking, with accommodation choices ranging from back-to-basic camping to five-star resorts. You can leave your car behind for a few days in Airlie Beach, like many other island hoppers do.

Airlie Beach to Townsville – 3 hours

If you’re not ready to say goodbye to island life just yet, but would like the convenience that comes with having your car, drive onto the Magnetic Island ferry in Townsville. You’ll get there in less than 40 minutes and have the freedom to do anything you please: go paddleboarding or horse riding in Horseshoe Bay, snorkel with sea turtles in Picnic Bay, go in search of koalas in their natural habitat along 23km of trails, or watch the sun go down with rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay. ‘Maggie’ really is a nature lover’s dream.

Townsville to Cairns – 4 hours

You made it! Tropical North Queensland isn’t just a great base from which to explore the colourful top end of the Great Barrier Reef and boutique town of Port Douglas, it’s a magical place to deepen your understanding of Indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Join an Indigenous-guided tour leaving from Cairns to discover the ancient stories and sacred sites of the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park or go on an immersive walk to forage for bush tucker and learn more about connection to Country. Time your arrival between May and October to enjoy the clear skies and comfortable temperatures of the Dry Season.

Travel insurance

We all know that the good times can take a slight detour when travelling. When the going gets tough, Travel Insurance Direct policies aim to do the heavy lifting and may assist with travel insurance cover, to help keep your trip moving in the right direction, so you can refocus on the fun.