Whether you prefer barra fishing in the Burdekin or Hinchinbrook, snorkelling fringing reefs around Magnetic Island, scuba diving wrecks or the Great Barrier Reef, bird watching at the surrounding wetlands, skydiving The Strand in Townsville or taking a wagon ride in Charters Towers, you will find it all in North Queensland.
This 10-day road trip itinerary will take you to some of the most beautiful and desirable destinations in far north Queensland. So hire your van, gather your mates and hit the road in this stunning part of the world!
Cairns to Mission Beach to Bingil Bay
Day 1
Drive up to the lovely town of Mission Beach, where you can try sea kayaking to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Mission Beach reminds us of how beautiful little beachside towns can be, blending vibrant art and culture with unique tourism attractions.Visitors to Tropical North Queensland can plan a day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas; it’s just under two hours from Cairns to Mission Beach.
Bingil Bay, the last beach of Mission Beach is a haven for artists, writers and musicians. Enjoy a freshly caught fish barbecued on the free barbecues at the water’s edge, or take in the walk to the top of Bicton Hill for awesome views of the Barnard Islands and over to Dunk and Hinchinbrook while hopefully spotting a cassowary on the way.
Mission Beach to Ingham
Day 3
See the works of local artists, and even get a chance to purchase some artworks at the TYTO Regional Art Gallery. Camp out at the Paluma Range National Park, where you can take an easy walk to the gorgeous Jourama Falls.
On the road to Townsville
Day 3
Have lots of water fun at The Strand and meet aquatic locals at the Reef HQ or for a peaceful experience on yet another one of Townsville’s gorgeous northern beaches, visit Toolakea Beach and bring the whole family for a relaxing day out!
Townsville to Ayr
Days 4 - 5
Go surfing or just enjoy a pleasant barbecue at Alva Beach on the way to Ayr.
Ayr is a prime sugar country, with about 80,000 hectares of land under sugarcane, and an annual production of about 1.25 million tonnes of raw sugar. The district also contributes one-third of the nation’s mango harvest and is a major producer of melons and a host of other fruit and vegetables. Ayr is also famous for its water skiing.
Looking for a more exciting activity? Take the plunge into the SS Yongala Wreck site with Yongala Dive. The S.S. Yongala sank during a cyclone on March 23rd, 1911 with the loss of all 122 passengers and crew. It is one of Australia’s worst maritime disasters, and is sometimes called ‘Townsville’s Titanic’. It was not until 1958 that the wreck was dived and due to its remote location it has remained mostly untouched
Ayr to Airlie Beach
Day 6
Explore Conway State Forest by foot when you take the Whitsunday Great Walk. If you still can’t get enough sun, head over to the Airlie Beach Lagoon or take the time to experience the Great Barrier Reef at nearby Whitsunday Islands.
Airlie Beach/Whitsundays
Days 7- 10
The Whitsundays is a world-renowned holiday destination, with Whitsunday icons like the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach at the top of millions of bucket lists the world around. Airlie Beach is the hub of the Whitsundays region, being the largest town on the Whitsunday Coast, almost entirely focused on tourism.
Explore other popular road trips around Cairns
Check out some of our other popular road trips from Cairns.
- See Our Cairns to Gold Coast Road Trip Itinerary
- See our Cairns to Brisbane Road Trip Itinerary
- See our Cairns to Darwin Road Rrip Itinerary
- See our Cairns to Melbourne Road Trip Itinerary
- See our Cairns to Sydney Road Trip Itineray
Looking for more? Check out other Cairns road trips. Find a huge range of different routes and road trip itineraries across Australia.
Get the cheapest rates on Campervan hire in Cairns for your next road trip
Traveling along Queensland’s coast doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By booking cheap campervan rental in Cairns in advance, you’ll have more affordable choices and avoid paying extra when tourism is at its highest.
FAQs about Cairns to Airlie road trip
Cairns is roughly 650km from Airlie Beach, taking about 8 hours to drive one way. This isn’t factoring in stops for food and toilet breaks. We suggest taking a 10-day trip to Airlie Beach instead of a straight drive. This would allow you to enjoy the drive more and stop at attractions along the way.
The route between Cairns and Airlie Beach truly offers some amazing stops that you would be missing out on if you drove straight past. You could explore the Great Barrier Reef by sea kayaking at Mission Beach, enjoy the beaches of Townsville, or even check out where all of Australia’s sugar cane plantations are in Ayr.
You are able to pick up your campervan in Cairns from our collection facility. Unfortunately, we don’t have a drop-off facility in Airlie Beach; our drop-off locations are in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Darwin, Sydney, and Cairns.
Yes, the route between Cairns and Airlie Beach has some epic free camping areas for those who love the camping experience. Here are some of our guides to free campgrounds near Townsville and Cairns.
Try to plan your trip either in autumn or spring. During these seasons, the weather is milder, with less rain and lighter winds, and you are more likely to enjoy your time on the beach.
It’s usually cheaper to plan. Off-peak deals are often available if you book early, and you won’t have to worry about missing out on the campervan you like. It’s just a simple way to save money and avoid last-minute stress.
Nope, there are no toll roads between Cairns and Airlie Beach. The whole drive down the Bruce Highway is toll-free.
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