I am not sure if you know what Queensland is, but to give you a bit info, it’s the mythic east Australia region, bordered by the Great Barrier Reef.
It’s very popular for of course snorkeling, the beautiful white sand beaches, the Whitsundays and so much more.
After our first trip in the Nothern Territory, we flew to Cairns to start our final big road trip to the Gold Coast! And honestly, Australia did not let me down once again.
DAY 1 | CAIRNS
First day in Queensland! So excited! Cairns is one of the main cities of the North East Coast, and is well known for its surrounds: the world heritage Daintree Forest, Cap Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef, etc…
So as you can see, there is plenty to do in terms of activity, if you have the time and the money!!
When we landed in Cairns, we had a beautiful view of these natural wonders, so if you can get a window on your plane, is really nice.
The city of Cairns properly speaking has not much to offer. Nonetheless, you can really feel there the colonial heritage thanks to the architecture.
We started in the city by doing the tour of the esplanade around the lagoon. It’s really peaceful, nice for a run I suppose. You have also BBQ there if you feel like cooking. As far as we are concerned, we went to the night markets to have dinner. It’s really nice, and cheap. It’s basically Asian food, so don’t expect too much from it.
There are little shops around, so you can walk and have a look.
We stayed at the Palm Royale Hotel, which was not located in the city, but still very nice with a beautiful swimming pool. Perfect to have some rest!
DAY 2 | DAINTREE FOREST
The real adventure begins! We booked with Uncle Brian an overnight tour to Cap Tribbin. It was rated as the best on Trip Advisor.
Our guide picked us up at our hotel. We were in total a group of 20. We headed directly to the Daintree Forest for our first stop.
We went to a place called « Chewko » where we had tea and coffee. But the highlight of this stop was the wallabies! There were so many and we had the right to feed them with oat. It was such a cute moment with these animals! We loved it (especially my brother, as you can see below)!
Then, we went to a few lookouts which were very nice.
After a quick lunch, we did a cruise along the Daintree river in order to cross it (you have to cross it with a ferry to make your way to Cap Tribulation). It’s nice, but after doing the one in the Nothern Territory, I don’t think it’s worth your money.
Then, we went to our « hotel » for the night at Cap Tribulation. The colors of the beach were wonderful.
The place where we stayed was OK, but not great. The food was alright as well. After dinner, our guide took us on a night tour along the mangroves, which was pretty nice. We did not see much wildlife but was still cool.
DAY 3 | CAP TRIBULATION
We started the second day of our excursion with breakfast at the place we stayed for the night. Again, the food was just OK. We headed to the North part of Cap Tribulation, to see the beautiful view of the sea.
Then, we went to the beginning of the Great Barrier Reef. Our guide gave us a great explanation on how the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef need each other to survive. Indeed, all the elements of the rainforest reach the starting point of the GBR, and the mangrove filters them, to feed the reef. In return, the evaporation of the water of the GBR brings a lot of rain above the rainforest, which links this virtuous circle.
We stopped at a cute little creek to have a bath, guaranteed without crocodiles! The spot was nice.
It was then time for us to make our way back to Cairns. We stopped on the road at Port Douglas, which is a renowned little seaside resort. Unfortunately for the travellers that day, the beach was closed because they had seen a crocodile of 4 meters… outch. But I had the best pie of my life there, so I was glad!
We arrived in Cairns around 7pm, very happy about our last 2 days. If you go to Cairns, make sure you make your way to the Daintree Forest.
DAY 4 | CAIRNS – TOWNSVILLE
First day on the road! We woke up very early to take our car to Cairns. Once there, we started our trip to Townsville with a few stops.
We first stopped at Josephine Falls. It was just a small detour from our initial road. They are located after a small walk track, but they worth it. So make a short break there!
Then we went to Mission Beach to have lunch. Mission Beach is a seaside resort with a nice long beach full of palm trees. It’s also well known for paradiving! Nice to have a short stop I would say.
Final destination : Townsville! After 4 hours of driving, we were very happy to arrive. Our hotel was very nice and well located. In Townsville, there is not much to do so just stop there for an overnight.
DAY 5 | MAGNETIC ISLAND
We took the ferry in the morning to go to Magnetic Island.
Magnetic Island is an island off the east coast. Its name came about because of the apparent “magnetic” effect it had on the ship’s compass of Captain Cook as he passed the island when sailing up the east coast of Australia in 1770.
Our host was so kind that she came to pick us at the ferry terminal. She lives at Nelly Bay, in a cute little house with a magnesium pool, 2 mn away from the supermarket and the bus stop, which was pretty convenient!
After we dropped our luggage, we took the bus to do the Forts walk. This walk is known in Maggie for the koalas that you can see in their natural habitat if you are lucky. You also have great lookouts on the island all along the walk. We have seen 2 koalas only.
Then, we went to Alma Bay to have some rest on the beach. It’s nice out there, but be aware of the jellyfish!
After, we did a little tour with the bus around the island, and then we went back home to have a BBQ.
DAY 6 | TOWNSVILLE – AIRLIE BEACH
After a nice breakfast, we took the ferry back to Townsville. Goodbye Maggie!
We did not do much on that day except driving. We had to make our way.
We arrived in Airlie Beach around 5pm, and we sorted out everything to be ready the next morning.
DAY 7 | WHITSUNDAYS
We woke up early in the morning to go to the marina. Indeed, we booked an overnight cruise tour on the Matador to visit these beautiful islands.
We spend all morning navigating to reach the islands. After a nice lunch on the boat, we went to the renowned Whitehaven beach. Oh my godness. After a short walk, we arrived at the lookout. I honestly did not have the words. It was just amazing.
Then we went to the beach to swim/walk. And guess what?? We spotted some manta rays and even one little shark. What an afternoon in paradise.
After this beautiful day (I forgot to mention that the sun was there) and a warm spag bol, the night was already there. From the boat, we could see the stars, and it was really pretty. Perfect to finish this day.
DAY 8 | WHITSUNDAYS
After a rough night on the boat, we had a nice little breakfast it was time for…. SNORKELLING on the beautiful reefs. I have to say it was a bit cold outside so I reckon it would have been more convenient during summer, but anyway, I was definitively going in the water.
Our first snorkel spot was good – but the second one in Butterfly Bay was amazing. The reefs were really colorful, and one of the passenger saw a turtle. So much to see out there! I could have stayed forever.
After this beautiful morning, it was time to head back at Airlie Beach marina.
I highly recommend doing a cruise in the Whitsundays while you there. It’s the best way to see these beautiful islands and to discover the inner reef of the great barrier reef. It’s worth your money. So go for it!
My boat was the Matador and the crew was really nice to us.
DAY 9 | GREAT BARRIER REEF – ROCKHAMPTON
Last morning in the beautiful Whitsundays. Can’t believe this is almost over. But the best was to come on this last day.
Indeed, since we were a bit disappointed because during our boat time we did not get the chance to see the Great Barrier Reef properly speaking. That is why we decided to do a flight over it. It’s a bit expensive, but believe me, you must do it if you are on the east coast of Australia. All of this could disappear in 30 years. It is wonderful, that’s it.
After this beautiful experience, we took the road for the rest of our trip. We went to Rockhampton, which was the main next city on our way. We slept at a simple motel, the room was very clean. The road was quite long, I almost hit a kangaroo. So I was pleased to arrive!
DAY 10 | ROCKHAMPTON – HERVEY BAY
We took the road early in the morning to arrive not too late in Hervey Bay.
There was not much to see on the road (except dead kangaroos..).
We arrived early in the afternoon in Hervey Bay, right on time to do some groceries, and to go to see the sunset from the endless Uranganda Piers. If you stay overnight in Hervey Bay (because let’s be honest, there is not much to do there), make sure you walk over this pier.
DAY 11 | FRASER ISLAND
A very exciting day was on its way! Indeed, we had booked a one day excursion to Fraser Island. Fraser Island is the biggest sand island of the world, well know for being an adventurous escape, since there is nothing there except 2 hotels, the sand and… dingos!
We decided to go on this tour with Sunrover, because we were going to be a group of 7 people maximum! We wanted to avoid these big buses with a lot of people. Turned out we made the right choice!
Honestly, Fraser Island is a must-do on the east coast of Australia.
We started the day thereby heading to Indian Head, a very Northern spot of Fraser Island. The headland was named by Captain Cook when he passed it on the evening of 19 May 1770, for the aboriginal people he saw assembled there. The term “Indian” was used at that time for the native people of many lands.
To go there, our tour guide drove along a very bumpy road, and then drove along the famous 75 miles beach. Note that you can not swim there, because of the sharks’ threat.
We stopped at one of the famous spots in Fraser Island: the shipwreck of SS Maheno. SS Maheno was an ocean liner belonging to the Union Company of New Zealand that operated in the Tasman Sea, crossing between New Zealand and Australia, from 1905 until 1935.
She was also used as a ship by the New Zealand Naval Forces during World War I; as His Majesty’s New Zealand Hospital Ship No. 1. She was washed ashore on Fraser Island by a cyclone in 1935 where the disintegrating wreck remains as a popular tourist attraction.
After a short walk, we arrived at the top of the hill. And we had a great view of the ocean. From there, we saw some whales which were fabulous.
Then we had lunch on a camping site, guarantee without dingos!
Our next stop was Eli Creek, with the largest flood of water in the island. It was amazing to see how pure was the water.
Last stop of the day was the famous Lake McKenzie. The Lake is fabulous for its blue water on the beach. It’s very nice to go for a swim there. But it was a bit crowded, I have to say.
We were very tired and somehow happy to go home after this long day in the sand. I think that there is nothing that compares to Fraser Island! It’s another one of the natural wonders.
DAY 12 | HERVEY BAY – NOOSA
We took the road in the morning to head to the beautiful seaside resort of Noosa. I had been there once and I had loved the place.
We first stopped at the Fraser Coast Wildlife sanctuary. I’m not a huge fan of the zoo, but this sanctuary was quite different. We were able to feed the kangaroos and to see Dingos from closer.
Then we headed to our Airbnb, located only 15 mn away from Noosa. After dropping our stuff, we went to see Noosa beach during the sunset. It was amazing, like Noosa.
DAY 13 | EUMUNDI – NOOSA
Since it was Saturday, we had the chance to go to the beautiful Eumundi Market. It’s a farmer market where you can find several things : food, fresh and cooked, arts, clothes, etc… it’s really wide and very convenient if you plan on bringing home some typical Australian things. We were very happy to go there.
Then, we headed to Noosa for the afternoon. The beaches of Noosa look like the Caribbean beaches. We enjoyed our afternoon there, under the sun.
DAY 14 | SUNSHINE COAST – BRISBANE
Last day with our car! We decided to take the coast road rather than the highway, to enjoy our last moments on the sunshine coast.
We first went to Mooloolaba, which is a nice little sea resort, nice cafes, great beach. All you can expect from a seaside escape. We had a great coffee there before heading to Brisbane.
Right before Brisbane, we stopped at a DFO (direct from outlet) to see if we could get some nice deals on clothes. We just found a shirt, nothing was really great there. I do not really like Aussie clothes, from what I saw in the shops.
Then we finally arrived in Brisbane. Wouhou. And look at the view we had from our hotel room: just amazing.
Because we started to be hungry, we went to the night noodles market, which was an Asian food night market. I had Wakame Noodles, and it was really nice. All the food was great!
DAY 15 | BRISBANE
Sun was up on that day in Brisbane. I was very happy to see the city under the sun for once. We decided to explore the city. We started by Queen Street. It’s the center of the city, where you have all the shops, mall etc.
Then, we went to the beautiful Botanic Gardens in Brisbane. It is kind of worth it to have a look if you have enough time. I feel like it’s always nice to have a nature walk surrounded by skyscrapers.
It was already time for lunch! We went to a Japanese restaurant in South Bank, which is a trendy area of Brisbane.
Then we took the « cityhopper » which is Brisbane free taxi ferry. It’s convenient as a tourist, especially on a sunny day like this one.
After that, it was time to go back to the hotel, as we were tired of the day.
DAY 16 | BRISBANE
Last day in Brisbane! We decided to go to the Lone Pine Koalas Sanctuary. Well known as the largest Koalas Sanctuary in the world. Again, I’m not a huge fan of this, but I thought it was going to be better than a zoo.
Indeed, the animals tare part of wildlife from Australia. Most of them are rescued.
It’s was such a great opportunity to see koalas (and even babies koalas) from a closer perspective.
We really enjoyed our day there, surrounded by all these animals.
When we got back, we went out for dinner at a seafood place in southbank. I had the fish of the day, and it was delicious. Great place to eat fresh seafood.
DAY 17 | GOLD COAST
That morning, we took the train from Brisbane to the Goldcoast. It’s pretty easy and quite cheap, I guess it’s better than buses (you can also take buses with Greyhound) because it gives you flexibility, you do not have to book in advance.
We arrived in the late morning in Gold Goast. We headed to Surfers Paradise to have a delicious late breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. And guess what? They have gluten-free options.
Then, we had a nice long walk along the mythic beach of the Gold Coast, very popular in the summertime.
At the end of the afternoon, there was a little market along the Surfers Paradise esplanade. It’s not big at all, but nice to see.
To be honest there is not much to do on the Gold Coast. It’s nice to stay a day maximum, but otherwise, make your way to Byron Bay, it’s much better. We had our flight the next morning quite early.
This trip was the last of my journey in Australia. I believe it was the conclusion of these 7 amazing months in a country full of surprises and discoveries. I could not have hoped for a better ending. Queensland reflects perfectly the beauty of Australia and its preserved nature. I feel really lucky for all these trips in Australia, and to had the opportunity to discover its speechless landscapes. I guess those times had brought me a lot, personally. Australia made me realize how broad the world is, and there is plenty to do left. No time to think, grab your suitcase, the journey is there.
OFF THE ROAD 