| Mention the words Road Trip in a country the size of | | | | lucky enough to be there for the feeding of the |
| Australia and some people will cringe in horror. The | | | | apes, it will bring a smile to your face. The animal |
| long distances between towns can turn travellers off. | | | | attendants are not performers but the antics with |
| But it shouldn't, as there are so many places and lots | | | | the apes are well worth the wait. |
| to do and see, I feel the biggest thing travellers do | | | | Just out of town to the north are the Capricorn |
| incorrectly when planning a road trip is they don't | | | | Caves. These spectacular caves are a unique system |
| allow enough time. Being rushed isn't going to add to | | | | of above ground limestone caves. They were |
| the enjoyment. If you are on a tight schedule, fly to | | | | discovered in 1882 by John Olsen. Tours through the |
| a central point and drive out to the locations you | | | | caves are available daily, do not miss this attraction. |
| most want to see. | | | | The Caves offer a great caravan park or cabin |
| This article is going to focus on Brisbane to Cairns via | | | | accommodation which is very reasonably priced and |
| the coast road (Pacific Hwy). So firstly you will need | | | | very much 4 - 5 star. |
| to decide how long your trip is going to be and that | | | | Rockhampton-ites have their own piece of paradise |
| will determine the length of time you will have in any | | | | just 30minutes east of town on the coast. Yeppoon, |
| one place. I am going to stick mostly to the coast | | | | with views of Great Keppel Island is part of the |
| but there are many fabulous places to see on the | | | | Great Barrier Reef. Ferry trips to the island are |
| inland roads. | | | | available daily and there is great accommodation on |
| Depart Brisbane:- The easiest exit route is the | | | | the island if you want to experience one of the most |
| gateway motorway north. If you're starting point is | | | | underrated islands of the reef. The island offers all |
| south of the Brisbane River there is a toll to get | | | | the usual water sports and some great snorkelling in |
| North and there are no toll booths, so you will need | | | | the crystal clear water. |
| to arrange for a pass or if you do go through the toll | | | | There are a few small towns between Rockhampton |
| you have 3 days to call the transport administration | | | | and Mackay, but you will not find a lot to do there. |
| and arrange payment via your credit card. The | | | | They are great for a driver reviver stops or to refuel |
| motorway will then merge into the Bruce Highway | | | | both the car and the family. Rest stops along the |
| which will take you the rest of your trip. | | | | road are clearly marked. The drive between |
| The roads are reasonable good but there are several | | | | Rockhampton and Mackay has a bit of a reputation. |
| road works around so don't be impatient, keep to | | | | This road claims a few travellers each year and it |
| the speed limits indicated and be sure to stop if you | | | | could well be that the 281kms is boring scenery. So |
| are feeling fatigued. The RACQ is a good reference | | | | take it easy and make sure you stick to the speed |
| for road conditions in Queensland. Queensland is very | | | | limits and take breaks when you need to. |
| hot in summer so have the air conditioning working, | | | | Mackay:- The Sugar Capital. This very large regional |
| plenty of water to drink and some health snacks. If | | | | city has a population of nearly 100,000 and is |
| you are travelling with children make sure you have | | | | probably one of the most prosperous regional cities in |
| everything you need to make their trip as pleasurable | | | | the country. It has diversified the crop production |
| as you can. It will impact on your holiday. Use this link | | | | over recent years but there is still an endless vista of |
| for handy information on travelling with children. | | | | cane fields and with its busy bulk handling terminal at |
| Sunshine Coast: The Sunshine coast stretches from | | | | the port, it is clearly the sugar centre of Australia. |
| Caloundra to Noosa and there are many beautiful | | | | The boating here is second to none and the harbour |
| beaches in between. The sunny coast is not as | | | | is experiencing rapid growth with new marinas making |
| commercialised as the Gold Coast but the outdoor | | | | it a popular destination with the boating community. |
| activity is similar. Surfing, boating, swimming, skiing or | | | | In the hinterland of the Mackay region is Blair Althol |
| anything related to the water is here for your | | | | and Peak Downs where you can visit a working coal |
| enjoyment. The accommodation ranges from budget | | | | mine or maybe fossick for gold in one of the creeks. |
| camping, cabins, family hotels and 4 and 5 star | | | | The range of accommodation here is anything from |
| resorts. There are theme parks for the kids and the | | | | backpackers, farm stays, camping or hotel/motel, |
| young at heart, plenty of shopping for the | | | | everything to suit your budget or adventurous spirit. |
| shopaholics, department stores, boutiques and tailors | | | | Once you reach this part of the Queensland coast |
| bring it on and take your credit cards. Some places | | | | the gardens become more tropical, so the parks are |
| you should probably not miss:- Steve Irwin's Australia | | | | lush and provide a pleasant retreat from the road |
| Zoo at Landsborough, Noosa National Park, Buderim's | | | | travel. Don't hurry! Stop to smell the roses or orchids |
| Ginger factory and Underwater World at Mooloolaba. | | | | in this case. |
| Gympie:- Not much to see here however it is a | | | | Now off to the place most tourists want to visit |
| quaint little town once known as the town that | | | | Proserpine:- The turn off for the Whitsunday Passage |
| saved Queensland from bankruptcy. Gold was | | | | and Airlie Beach |
| discovered here in 1867 and at that time Queensland | | | | The town is dominated by the sugar industry and |
| was in drought and the wool prices had fallen | | | | sugar mill. So, off the highway again to visit the |
| dramatically, leaving the state in a bad way. There | | | | playground of the rich and famous and the not so |
| are some lovely parks and small historical buildings to | | | | rich and famous. "Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays" |
| see. A quick stop over here might be nice. Once a | | | | Every year hundreds of thousands of visitors come |
| year the County Music Muster is held here and | | | | here to play in and on the ocean. Unless you are |
| attracts many thousands of visitors. | | | | backpacking the prices can get a bit on the high side, |
| Maryborough:- On the Mary River, normally heading | | | | especially during the high seasons from March to |
| north one would not go through this town as the | | | | October. From Airlie Beach and Shut Harbour daily |
| highway bypasses the town and does cut quite a bit | | | | boat cruises take visitors to the many islands of the |
| of time off the journey north. This town was once a | | | | Whitsundays. The snorkelling or diving here is some |
| busy immigration port but nowadays is popular with | | | | of the best in the world. The water is clear, warm |
| retirees. | | | | and fairly protected from rough weather by the reef. |
| Childers:- The highway takes you through this town | | | | There are far too many island locations to mention in |
| which is a National Trust registered town and a | | | | this article, but use this link to check out what this |
| centre for agriculture. The main street offers the | | | | area has in store for you. |
| traveller a few convenience stores, cafe` and a | | | | Back to the Bruce Highway |
| couple of the good Aussie pubs that serve up | | | | Bowen:- Most people would just drive right through |
| counter meals at reasonable prices. Childers is popular | | | | Bowen and never think to stop. I know that I have |
| with backpackers because they can always get work | | | | in the past. However it is a lovely town and there are |
| here on the produce farms. Many will remember the | | | | some beautiful places to check out. It has a good |
| terrible fire that occurred in the main street | | | | marina and a great Yacht Club. If you are into fishing |
| backpackers hostel in which several young people | | | | it doesn't get much better. So be sure to pack the |
| lost their lives. | | | | tackle. The Bowen area is renowned for growing |
| If you were to look at a map of Queensland you | | | | tomatoes and of course Bowen Mangoes. Most |
| would probably be saying hey, you have missed a | | | | drivers will not even know that they drive past the |
| few towns. Well yes, because the main highway | | | | Bowen Salt Works on the way into town. This salt |
| does not go directly up the coast. However, if you | | | | works was set up in 1925 and produces around 250 |
| have time, turn right and make the trip to the coast | | | | thousand tonnes per annum and is well worth a stop |
| to Hervey Bay and Bundaberg. | | | | to see. Bowen also has the Bowen Coke works, but |
| Hervey Bay (On the Coast and off the highway) | | | | this has nothing to do with the drink Coke. The Coke |
| Great town and busy most of the year with tourists | | | | Works processes approximately 45,000 tonnes of |
| visiting to see the whales. Whale watching tours run | | | | metallurgical coke each year from Collinsville and |
| all day from dawn to sunset and you will be | | | | transports it to Mt Isa after processing. |
| guaranteed to see the magnificent humpback whales. | | | | Bowen has many small but beautiful beaches and the |
| Tours include sight seeing and lunch on the day | | | | nice thing is, not too many people know about them. |
| cruises, morning or afternoon tea on the half day | | | | So you could well be the only visitors there. The |
| cruises. Prices vary quite a bit, so get online to | | | | town itself isn't all that big but does have a good |
| compare and save. There are plenty of beach front | | | | variety of accommodation and restaurants. There are |
| restaurants, cafe`s or parks for a picnic or some fish | | | | also heritage buildings to visit and the Bowen |
| and chips, and the fish is very fresh from the fish | | | | information centre is a good place to start. |
| markets here. Plenty of accommodation here so visit | | | | Home Hill and Aye:- Ask most Australians and they |
| your favourite website and compare. (I like wot if or | | | | will not be able to tell you where these two towns |
| roamfree). | | | | are. However, if you did your social studies in school, |
| Bundaberg:- Called the sugar town, as this entire area | | | | you may remember. They are called the twin towns |
| is surrounded by sugar cane farms. The Burnett River | | | | of the north and are on either side of the Burdekin |
| runs through the middle of the town and the many | | | | River delta, surrounded by very fertile soil. The main |
| heritage buildings make this a very appealing town for | | | | crops are sugar cane and rice and you can visit the |
| the visitor. | | | | rice and sugar mills, but you will not need long here. |
| The town is most famous for Bundaberg Rum and | | | | Townsville:- You have arrived back in civilisation. |
| the Bundy Bear, which most Aussie's will know. The | | | | Townsville is a big town and you should plan a few |
| distillery opened 110years ago and has never looked | | | | days here at least. You can restock supplies and do |
| back. Tours are available daily and even if you do not | | | | some retail therapy and have your vehicle checked |
| drink, it is fascinating to see how the rum is | | | | over if need be. The town was built on the |
| produced. | | | | establishment of coffee, cotton and sugar. The |
| Mon Repos Beach is 15 kms east of the city and has | | | | discovery of gold in nearby Charters Towers and |
| the largest colony of nesting marine turtles on the | | | | Ravenswood did wonders to the rapid development |
| eastern Australian mainland. Nesting turtles are best | | | | of Townsville. It has heavy industry around its port |
| viewed after dark 1 or 2 hours after the high tide | | | | along with the tourism sector for boating trips out to |
| from November to February. The visitors centre will | | | | the reef and in particular Magnetic Island, just a short |
| issue you tickets to the area but turtles nest and | | | | ride from the marina. If you can organise the time |
| eggs hatch at any time, so you may not see this | | | | and money, a night or two on the island is interesting. |
| event. Ask the locals to get the best information. | | | | It's a nice drive around the island, so if you are taking |
| This has been a nice little diversion, but let's get back | | | | the passenger ferry you can hire a vehicle (mini |
| to the Highway | | | | moke) on the island and feel the wind in your hair. |
| GinGin:- This very small town is known to have had | | | | The beaches on Magnetic are beautiful and a visit to |
| some of the earliest cattle stations in Queensland and | | | | the old forts left over from the Second World War |
| is now today still rich with pastoral and produce | | | | will be a buzz. |
| farms. There is a small museum here but a quick stop | | | | To get an overall view of Townsville and the |
| is all you will need. | | | | surrounding area drive up Castle Hill, which looks over |
| Calliope:- Gold was once mined here, but never in a | | | | the town. There are museums, botanical gardens, and |
| big way. The town has an historical village which is | | | | the casino is always a draw card for tourists "The |
| opened to the public, but really, the town benefits | | | | Strand" is a prominent promenade providing |
| from its neighbour, Gladstone. | | | | entertainment, restaurants, picnic grounds and |
| Gladstone:- This Central Queensland town has one of | | | | playgrounds for the kids. The highlight here is the |
| the most beautiful deep water ports on the Eastern | | | | rock pool, which provides a safe swimming area. |
| seaboard. It is set in a resort setting with manicured | | | | Remember you are in the far north now and should |
| lawns, facilities for the yachting community (shops, | | | | always be aware of stingers in the summer months |
| laundry, internet facilities etc) and the university has a | | | | and crocodiles in remote areas. |
| campus here which is very active in the cultural | | | | With your destination in sight, (almost), you may not |
| scene. Just about the entire community is involved | | | | want to stop in any of the smaller towns that you |
| with the mining industry and you could easily spend a | | | | will be driving through, Ingham, Cardwell, Innisfail and |
| couple of days here looking around the mines and | | | | Babinda. These towns are pleasant country towns |
| loading docks. The fishing fleet is based here so it is | | | | and provide a nice stop over for lunch, or simply a |
| great for a fish meal. A little out of town you will also | | | | rest stop. The drive from Townsville to Cairns is |
| find a hidden treasure, the Gecko Valley Winery, a | | | | 345kms and the road conditions are good. So a nice |
| lovely spot in the hinterland where you can sample | | | | easy morning will have you in the unofficial capital of |
| the produce and have a delightful lunch. On the way | | | | the north. |
| to or from Gecko Valley you will pass the Tondoon | | | | Cairns:- So here you are in Cairns, having driven |
| Botanic Gardens. This is an excellent place to sit and | | | | around 1770kms, depending how many side roads |
| enjoy the bushland and if you are travelling with | | | | you took. Cairns is a Mecca for tourists who come to |
| children they will love the open spaces. | | | | play in the north and the town is big, so you will find |
| Now the trip is going pretty well and you have been | | | | everything here you could possibly want. Shops, |
| very conscientious with your diet. Well that all stops | | | | restaurants, cinema's, theatre, museums, beaches, |
| here as all the fast food outlets are in Gladstone, | | | | cable car rides over the rainforest, nature walks, |
| Mac Donald's, KFC and, Eagle boys pizza. If you are | | | | boating tours, diving, snorkelling and fishing. The list is |
| looking for something that's not fast food, but not a | | | | never ending. So plan a well deserved rest here after |
| fancy restaurant, try the yacht Club down by the | | | | that drive up but don't forget you have the whole |
| marina. The food is great, well priced and the view is | | | | thing to do in reverse, unless you have been clever |
| the best in town. | | | | enough to hire a car, drive it one way and fly back. |
| Rockhampton:- Is known as the Beef Capital of | | | | Tips on a successful road trip. |
| Australia and it is said you will get the best steaks | | | | Prepare the car (if it's your own) or better still hire |
| here. Visitors will be greeted by the very large | | | | one and let someone else do the servicing |
| statues of cattle in the streets, "very novel". You can | | | | Get a map and plan the places you want to see |
| easily spend a few days in Rockhampton and the | | | | If travelling with children, plan rest stops frequently, |
| surrounding area. The town itself sits on the Fitzroy | | | | they need more stops than adults |
| River and had its origin as a shipping port for produce | | | | Take plenty of water in the car with you |
| and coal. Once paddle steamers travelled up and | | | | Take healthy snacks |
| down the river, but sadly they have long gone. | | | | Take your favourite CD's (there are a few spots |
| Most travellers miss a few very important places | | | | where radio reception isn't good) |
| here. Firstly the Rockhampton Zoo, which is | | | | Know your car. How many kms do you get from a |
| remarkably good and is a very pleasant way to | | | | tank of fuel? |
| spend the day, whether you are 6 or 60. If you are | | | | |